Punching apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present roller press has a base, a center post, material supporting means, and roller means arranged in such a manner that the roller means or the material supporting means or both may be journaled about the center post whereby a relative movement between the material supporting means and the roller means is accomplished either by hand operation or by driving means, which movement follows a circular path around said center axis. The spacing between the supporting means and the roller means is adjustable to determine the cutting pressure and to accomodate material of different widths.

United States Patent 1191 Spengler 1 1 PUNCHING APPARATUS [75] lnventor: Ernst M. Spengler, l-leusenstamm,

Germany [73] Assignee: Roeder & Spengler,

Bergen-Enkheim, Germany [22] Filed: May 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 252,588

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 19, 1971 Germany 7119648 I Nov. 16, 1971 Germany 7143171 [52] US. Cl. 83/511 [51] Int. Cl .B26d U112 [58] Field Of Search 83/511, 284

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 668,959 2/1901 Lacroix 83/511 1,011,127 12/1911 Lacroix.; ..83/511X 1451 July 16, 1974' FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 96,446 3/1898 Germany 83/51 1 Primary ExaminerWillie G. Abercrombie Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wolfgang G. Fasse [5 7] ABSTRACT The present roller press has a base, a center post, material supporting means, and roller means arranged in such a manner that the roller means or the material supporting means or both may be journaled about the center post whereby a relative movement between the material supporting means and the roller means is accomplished either by hand operation or by driving means, which movement follows a circular path around-said center axis. The spacing between the supporting means and the roller means is adjustableto determine the cutting pressure and to accomodate material of different widths.

17 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDM I 61924 SHEEI 5 ll? 7 FIG. /2

FIG. I3

PATENTED JUL 1 mm smear? tively small preferably hand operated unit.

PUNCHING APPARATUS I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a roller press, more specifically, to a press which is operable as a cutting machine to progressively cut shapes out of relatively flat material by meansof steel strip knives. The present cutting machine is useful for a wide variety of flat materials such as plastic sheets, leather, textiles, and'even flat pieces of meat to be cut into goulash cubes.

Punching or cutting presses for cutting shapes out of flat material are well known in the art. One type comprises a bridge or gantry for supporting a punch which is movable vertically up and down. Another type comprises a so called swivel arm. A roller type of cutting apparatus has also been recently developed. The cutting knives in the so called bridge and swivel arm presses are attached to the under surface of a pressure plate. In the so called roller punches, the cutting knives are attached to the outer surface of a roller. In the bridge and swivel arm type of presses, the cutting knives may be loosely placed on top of the material to be cut whereby a so called sandwich packet is formed comprising'the material to be cut, the cutting knives, and a pressure plate. 7 t The cutting forces required in prior art devices, especially in the bridge and swivel arm type of press are rather substantial because the punching knives must be subjected to the cutting force substantially simultaneously along their entire length or at least along a substantial proportion of their entire length. Thus, to reduce these substantial cutting forces, it has been proposed in US. Pat. No. 2,688,367 issued on Sept. 7, l954 to provide a progressive line contact cutting machine. This known machine is basically of the swivel arm type because a swinging beam serves'as an abutment for the cutting action and is pivotally mounted on a vertical stud. The cutting force is provided by a relatively large number of small diameter roller rods supported in a roller carriage. The carriage in turn runs back and forth along a cam track which raises. and lowers the carriage for the cutting action. This type of machine is not readily adaptable for construction as a rela- OBJECTSOF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the aim of the invention to achieve the following objects singly or in combination:

to provide a roller press of simple construction which requires but a .small cutting pressure due to a progressive type of cutting operation;

to provide a roller press which maybe readily operated by hand;

to provide a roller press which advantageously combines the features of a conventional roller press and of a swivel arm press whereby the cutting knives may be placed in the above describedv sandwich manner between a swiveling means and an abutment means and whereby the abutment means may also bed the swiveling type;

to provide a roller type press which is suitable for a wide variety of purposes, for example, for the cutting of felt or rubber gaskets and also for the cuttingof flat pieces of meat into goulash cubes; and

to provide a roller press, the construction of which is such that its price will be within the range of the small shopkeeper such as the operator of a shoe repair shop,

the small toy manufacturer, or a butcher, while simultaneously having substantial production capability even for large scale operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a roller press which combines in it the features of a swivel arm press and a roller press. A roller which exerts the progressive cutting pressure or an abutment means or dinal axis of said centerpost. The entire'roller or the entire abutment means follow the circular path through a range corresponding to the desired cutting range so that the concerted movement of a plurality of small diameter roller rods is avoided. The required contact pressure in a machine according to the invention is surprisingly small so that the present roller press may easily be actuated by an operator by simply pulling the swivel arm across the abutment means or vice versa.

Preferably, the present roller press will comprise but a single roller which may be made up of a plurality of cylindrical disks arranged on a common axis, or which may be a conical frustum roller pointing with its smaller diameter end toward the center axis of said center post. The presser roller may be arranged above or below a material supporting table which may be of the flexible type. The conical presser roller has the advantage that slipping is avoided because due to the decreasing diameter of the conical roller from its outer end toward the center post, the circumferential speeds are adapted to the decreasing radius of the circular path travelled by the particular portion of the roller around the center post. I

However, cylindrical rollers made up of a plurality of independently rotatable disks also avoid the above problem becauseeach disk may rotate at its own speed.

' If desired, the presser roller or rather the frame means which support the presser roller or even the abutment means may be positively-driven, for example, by a rotary piston hydraulic drive means.

In one embodiment according to the invention, a material supporting punch table forms .part of a base to which is attached an upright post. The presser roller is journaled in a frame and the frame in turn is journaled to the upright post. The table may also be journaled to said post so that a relative motion may be accomplished between the roller and the table whereby the longitudinal axis of the roller extends radially through the longitudinal center axis of the upright post and preferably at a right angle thereto. Although it is preferable that the material supporting table should be stationary, and the roller should be moved along said circular path, it is quite possible to move the table alongsaid path and keep the rollers rotating in a stationary position of its frame. v

The embodiment according to the invention in which the presser rollers are arranged beneath a material supporting table is especially suitable for making such table from a flexible steel sheet.

In still another embodiment the invention teaches to provide an aperture in the abutment means so that, for

'ation.

BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one half of a roller press according to the invention wherein two presser rollers of cylindrical shape are employed each presser roller including a plurality of spaced disks;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the roller press according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the roller press illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment wherein a conical frustum is employed as a presser roller which is'arranged underneath a flexible material supporting table;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view onto an embodiment also with a conical presser roller but arranged above a material supporting table;

. FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 6;-

FIG. 8 is a front view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIGS. 9, l0, and 11 illustrate an embodiment quite similar to that of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 except that an auxiliary cylindrical roller of relatively small diameter and comprising a plurality of individually rotatable disks is arranged on each side of the main presser roller;

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an embodiment comprising a cylindrical roller made up of a plurality of individual disks and arranged below a flexible material supporting table;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the embodiment according to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of an embodiment comprising two rollers both of which are journaled to the center post, one of which is arranged below a flexible table and the other one is arranged above such ta- 1 FIG. 15 is a front view of the apparatus according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment where the supporting table is journaled to the center post and the abutment means comprises a roller arranged above the material supporting table; and

FIG. 17 is atop view onto the embodiment according to FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FLEXIBLE EMBODIMENTS In the following description of all the figures the same reference numerals will be used for designating the same elements. Further, since the basic structure of all the embodiments is the same, such structure will be de- 4 bushing 6. The frame 4 and the bushings ,5 and 6 form an integral structure. The bushings 5 and 6 have a gliding fit on the center'post 2 and are supported against downward displacement on a shoulder 7 of the center post 2. The shoulder 7 may include a glide or roller bearing.

The upper bushing member 6 is closed except for a threaded hole 8 through which extends a threaded bolt 9, the lower end 10 of which is secured against axial displacement to the upper end of the center post 2. However, the lower end 10 of the threaded bolt 9 is rotatable relative to the center post 2 by means of a handle 11 whereby the elevation of the unitary structure comprising the frame 4 and the bushings 5 and 6 may be adjusted relative to the center post 2.

The frame structure comprises a cross plate 12 which is secured to the outer or free end 13 of the main frame member 14 extending radially away from the center post 2. The inner end of the main frame member 14 is, for example, welded to the bushings 5 and 6. Handle means 15 are attached to the cross plate 12 in any conventional manner.

The frame structure 4 supports two cylindrical presser rollers 16 and 17. Each of these rollers is made up of a plurality of cylindrical disks l8 rotatably supported on'a respective common axes 19 and 20. The rotational axes of the disks 18 are supported with their outer ends in the cross plate 12 and with their inner end in the bushing 5 as shown at 21 in FIG. 2. The axes l9 and 20 are preferably not rotatable. However, each disk 18 is freely rotatable on the respective axes and inscribed in detail only once in order to avoid repetition.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a base 1 to which is secured an upright post 2, for example, by

- a weldment not shown. The center post 2 defines a cendependently of the adjacent disk.

The disks 18 of each roller arespaced from each other and the rollers are arranged in such a manner relative to each other that the disks of one roller are in register with the spacings between the disks of the other roller or vice versa. In this manner uniform cutting pressure is assured over the entire surface area of the flat material to be cut. The longitudinal axes l9 and 20 of the rollers 16 and 17 are supported by the frame structure 4 in the same horizontal plane and in such a manner that these axes extend at an angle relative to each other as best seen from FIG. 1 and radially relative to the center axis 3 of the post 2. Preferably, the extensions of the axes l9 and 20 intersect with each other and with the center axis 3.

The base 1 comprises a material supporting table 22 which is arranged to extend horizontally underneath the circular path of the rollers 16 and 17. The strip steel knives 23 and the material to be cut 24 are arranged in the fonn of a sandwich on top of the supporting table 22 and in the path of the circular movement of the roller l6 and 17. The outer end of the rollers will cover such a radius that the entire material is completely cut.

Pulling or pushing the frame structure 4 by means of the handles 15 back and forth in the direction-of the arrow 25 will complete the cutting operation in a progressively advancing cutting action. The required force is rather small because at each particular instance only a small portion of the material 24 to be cut is in cutting contact with the strip steel knives 23. However, if desired, it is also possible to provide a power drive. For this purpose a gear 26 is secured to the, for example, lower end-of the bushing 5. A piston cylinder arrangement 27 drives, for example, through gearing means not shown in detail a further gear 28. The gears 26 and 28 are interconnected, for example, by a chain drive 29 whereby the entire frame structure may be journaled back and forth across the supporting table 22.

For rigidity the table 22 may be connected to the cylinder of the piston cylinder arrangement 27 by means of arms 30. These arms may form part of the base 1.

Incidentally, it is preferable that the steel strip knives 23 face the table 22 and that the material 24 to be cut is placed on top of the steel strip knives so that the material faces the rollers, whereby the rollers contact the material to be cut directly. However, the reverse arrangement is also possible whereby, if desired, a pressure plate may be inserted between the knives and the rollers.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 the frame structure 4 is the same as that in FIGS. 1 to 3. However, the frame structure 4 in FIG. 4 supports an abutment member 31 rather than the roller which in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is arranged in a further frame structure 32 underneath a flexible table 33. The further frame structure 32 is secured to further journal means 34 which are rotatable about the center post 2. The journal means 34 are supported against downward displacement and for rotational movement by roller bearings 35 which rest on a shoulder 36 around the lower end of the center post 2. The latter may be bolted, as through a flange 37 to the base 1. Drive means 26, 27, 28 and 29 are provided for rotating the journal means 34 in the same manner as has been described above with reference to FIG. 2. The chain wheel 26 is connected to the bushing 34 by links 38. Further the chain wheel 26 is rotatable relative to the center post 2.

The further frame structure 32 comprises an upright member 39 for supporting the outer end of the, axis 40 of the presser roller 41 which in the embodiment of FIG. 4 has a conical frustum shape. The frame structure 32 has attached to its outer end a guide or track roller 42 which runs on the base 1, preferably ona track 43.

The strip steel knives 23 may be directly attached to the abutment plate 31. Underneath the strip steel knives 23 there is stretched across the base 1 a flexible table 22 on which is supported the material 24 to be cut. The base 1 is provided with upright members 44 to which two opposite edges of the flexible table 22 are attached by adjustable tightening means such as a turnbuckle 45 or a bolt and wing nut 46.

The axis 40 of the conical roller 41 extends'radially toward the center axis 3 and at such an angle relative to the horizontal, that the generatrix of the conical roller 41 extends substantially horizontally and in contact with the flexible table 22.

The frame structure 32 for the roller 41 may comprise, for example, two substantially vertically extending parallel bars'47 which at their inner ends are rigidly secured, for example, by welding to the journal bearing 34. The two parallel bars 47 are connected'to each other, for example, by the upright member 39.

As may be seen from FIG. 5, rotation of the roller 41 through the power means 26, 27, 28, and 29 will exert a pressure against the lower surface of the flexible table 22 and will thus press the material in a progressive manner against the knives which are bearing against the abutment member or plate 31. Incidentally, the height or level of the abutment plate 31 may be adjusted by turning the handle or wheel 11. The thread in the bushing 6 and in the bolt 8 may be of the self locking type so that the abutment means, once adjusted to the proper level, will be held in the desired position.

The arrangement of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 except that the roller 48 is a conical roller arranged above the material supporting table 49 which is provided with an aperture 50 through which the cut pieces may drop downwardly. The axis 51 of the roller 48 is secured against rotation at the one end in the journal means 34 and at the other endin the front end 52 of the frame structure 4. The

frame structure may comprise two parallel plates 53 and 54 interconnected at the front end by a cross piece 55 in which the axis 51 is supported. The axis 51 forms an angle with the horizontal and extends radially relative to the center axis 3 of the upright post 2. Preferably, the extension of the axis 51 and the center axis 3 intersect with each other. The angle between .the horizontal and the axis 51 is selected in such a manner that a generatrix of the roller 48' extends horizontally and thus in parallel to the table 49. The shape of the frame structure 4 is adapted to the shape of the conical roller 48 so that the latter may freely rotate about its axis 51, or axis 51 may rotate.

The embodimeent illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is quite simialr to that of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, except that in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 two auxiliary rollers are provided. One auxiliary, cylindrical roller 56 is arranged on one side of the roller 48, whereas another cylindrical, auxiliary roller 57 is arranged on the opposite side of the roller 48. The auxiliary rollers 56, 57 are also supported in the frame structure 4 in the same manner as the roller 48, except that the rotational axis of the rollers 56 and 57 extend horizontally rather than at an angle relative to the table 22. The main roller 48 and the two auxiliary rollers are journalled for movement along the above mentioned circular path around the center axis 3.

The embodiment of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 with its auxiliary rollers 56 and 57 is especially suitable for cutting relatively thick, flat material. For this purpose, the vertical gap between the material to be cut and the auxiliary rollers may be somewhat larger than the gap between the horizontal generatrix of the roller 48 and the material to be cut. In this manner, the auxiliary rollers, dependingon the direction of the circuit movement, will accomplish a pre-cut and the main roller 48 will complete the cut. The auxiliary rollers 56 and 57 may also serve for yet another purpose, namely, to smooth out the material in front of the main roller 48. For this purpose, the ends of the axis of the horizontal cylinder rollers 56 and 57 may be supported in slots provided in the journal means 34 and in the front plate 58. Spring means 59 may then bear against the respective axis end whereby the auxiliary rollers may yield slightly up and down for properly smoothing out the material in front of the main roller 48.

The remaining elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 9, l0 and 11 are the same as described above with reference to the other embodiments. Thus, the auxiliary rollers 56 and 57 are made up of a plurality of individual disks rotatablyarranged on their respective axis.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is quite similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5, except that the conical roller 41 has been replaced in FIGS. 12 and 13 by a cylindrical disk roller 60. The table 22 is also of the flexible type and it is stretched across the base as has been described above with reference to FIGS. 4

and 5. The frame structure 61 differs slightly from that described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 in that the frame structure 61 is adapted to the shape of the cylindrical roller 60.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an embodiment representing essentially a combination of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with that of FIG. 7 whereby the conical roller 41 is used in combination with the conical roller 48. Both rollers are journalled for movement along a circular path about the center axis 3 of the post 2.

In the operation of FIGS. 14 and 15, either the lower or the upper roller may be rotated for the cutting operation. However, it is preferable to move both rollers simultaneously along the above mentioned circular path. For this purpose, interlocking pins 62 may be provided which in a disengaged position do not reach into respective recesses 63 in the journal 34. However, in the shown, engaged position, the pins reach into said recesses 63. Y

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment wherein the material supporting table 64 is journalled to the upright post 2 at 65. The journal 65 and a guide roller 66 support the table 64 for a rotational movement about the center axis 3 when the talbe is operated, for example by its handle 67.

The frame -4 is again journalled to the upright post 2 so that the roller 68 takes up the position as described above relative to a strip steel knife 69 having, for example, a grid type pattern. I

The material to be cut is, for example, a flat piece of meat 70 and movement of the table 64 in the direction of the arrow 65 will result in cutting the piece of meat 70 into a plurality of cubes in one stroke so to spreak.

In FIG. 16 the frame 4 is adjustable up and down the post 2 by first loosening the set screw 71 and than thightening it again when the frame 4 with the roller 68 has assumed the desired position. Preferably the post 2 is provided with a groove 72 in which the end of the set screw 71 is received to prevent lateral displacement of the frame 4. Other convenient means for fixing the position of the frame 4 may be provided.

When the cutting stroke is completed, the table 64 will be in a position for convenient removal of the cut cubes.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it is to be understood that it is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is;

l. A roller press for progressively cutting shapes out of relatively flat material by means of steel strip knives, comprising a base, a center post secured to said base and defining a center axis, means for supporting said flat material, main roller means, frame means for rotatably supporting said main roller means relative to said center post so that said main roller means provide a line of contact between a generatrix of said main roller meansand said flat material, said generatrix extending radially and substantially perpendicularly toward said center. axis, journal means journaled to said center post for permitting a relative movement between said material supporting means and said main roller means whereby said relative movement follows a circular. path having its center located in said center axis, and two auxiliary, substantially cylindrical rollers supported by 8 said frame means so that one auxiliary roller is arranged alongside of each side of said main roller means.

2. The roller press according to claim 1, further comprising means for also rotatably supporting said auxiliary rollers in said frame means for movement along said circular path together with the main roller means.

3. The roller press according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary rollers comprise longitudinal axes, and wherein said means for supporting the auxiliary rollers comprise guide slots in said frame means, said longitudinal axes of the auxiliary rollers having ends riding in said guide slots and resilient means pressing against the respective axis end whereby said auxiliary rollers are pressed downwardly and yield upwardly.

4. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rollers extend with their longitudinal axis radially relative to said center axis.

5. The roller press according to claim 1 wherein each of said auxiliary rollers comprise a plurality of disks rotatably supported on a respective commonaxis.

6. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rollers are spaced from said material supporting means to provide a spacing larger than the respective spacing between said main roller means arid the material supporting means.

7. The roller press according to claim 1, further comprising power drive means operatively connected to mon longitudinal cylinder'axis means on which the disks rotate independently of each other.

9. The roller press according to claim 8, wherein the disks of each main cylinder roller are spaced from each other along their respective cylinder axis, said main .cylinder rollers being arranged in such a manner relative to each other, that the disks on one rollerregister with spacings between the disks on the other roller and vice versa.

10. The roller press according toclaim 1, wherein the base includes upright members, said material supporting means comprising flexible table means, means for stretching said flexible table means between said upright base members and for connecting the flexible table means to said upright base members, said journal means joumaling said frame means to said center post in such a position that the main roller means are located below said flexible table means, abutment means and further journal means for joumaling said abutment means to said center post .whereby said abutment means are located above said flexible table means.

11. The roller press according to claim 10, wherein said frame means comprise guide roller means arranged to run on said base along a circular path aroundthe center post.

12. The roller press according to claim 10, wherein said abutment means comprise a further roller means rotatably supported by said abutment means and having a rotational axis pointing substantially radially toward said center axis.

13. The roller'pr'ess according to claim 12, wherein said further roller means comprise a conical roller pointing substantially radially toward said center axis.

14. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said material supporting means comprise a table, means for journaling said table to said center post, means for adjustably securing said frame means to said center post, support roller means for supporting said table on said base, and means for tilting said table about said'center post whereby said support roller means run along a circular path around said center post.

15. The roller press according to claim 1, further comprising adjustment means arranged for cooperation with said frame means and said center post whereby said frame means are adjustable up'and down along said center post. 

1. A roller press for progressively cutting shapes out of relatively flat material by means of steel strip knives, comprising a base, a center post secured to said base and defining a center axis, means for supporting said flat material, main roller means, frame means for rotatably supporting said main roller means relative to said center post so that said main roller means provide a line of contact between a gEneratrix of said main roller means and said flat material, said generatrix extending radially and substantially perpendicularly toward said center axis, journal means journaled to said center post for permitting a relative movement between said material supporting means and said main roller means whereby said relative movement follows a circular path having its center located in said center axis, and two auxiliary, substantially cylindrical rollers supported by said frame means so that one auxiliary roller is arranged alongside of each side of said main roller means.
 2. The roller press according to claim 1, further comprising means for also rotatably supporting said auxiliary rollers in said frame means for movement along said circular path together with the main roller means.
 3. The roller press according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary rollers comprise longitudinal axes, and wherein said means for supporting the auxiliary rollers comprise guide slots in said frame means, said longitudinal axes of the auxiliary rollers having ends riding in said guide slots and resilient means pressing against the respective axis end whereby said auxiliary rollers are pressed downwardly and yield upwardly.
 4. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rollers extend with their longitudinal axis radially relative to said center axis.
 5. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein each of said auxiliary rollers comprise a plurality of disks rotatably supported on a respective common axis.
 6. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rollers are spaced from said material supporting means to provide a spacing larger than the respective spacing between said main roller means and the material supporting means.
 7. The roller press according to claim 1, further comprising power drive means operatively connected to said journal means and thus to said frame means for rotating the longitudinal axis of said main roller means and of said auxiliary rollers about said center post.
 8. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said main roller means comprise cylindrical roller means including a plurality of disks rotatably supported on common longitudinal cylinder axis means on which the disks rotate independently of each other.
 9. The roller press according to claim 8, wherein the disks of each main cylinder roller are spaced from each other along their respective cylinder axis, said main cylinder rollers being arranged in such a manner relative to each other, that the disks on one roller register with spacings between the disks on the other roller and vice versa.
 10. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein the base includes upright members, said material supporting means comprising flexible table means, means for stretching said flexible table means between said upright base members and for connecting the flexible table means to said upright base members, said journal means journaling said frame means to said center post in such a position that the main roller means are located below said flexible table means, abutment means and further journal means for journaling said abutment means to said center post whereby said abutment means are located above said flexible table means.
 11. The roller press according to claim 10, wherein said frame means comprise guide roller means arranged to run on said base along a circular path around the center post.
 12. The roller press according to claim 10, wherein said abutment means comprise a further roller means rotatably supported by said abutment means and having a rotational axis pointing substantially radially toward said center axis.
 13. The roller press according to claim 12, wherein said further roller means comprise a conical roller pointing substantially radially toward said center axis.
 14. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said material supporting means comprise a table, means for journaling said table to said center post, means for adjustably Securing said frame means to said center post, support roller means for supporting said table on said base, and means for tilting said table about said center post whereby said support roller means run along a circular path around said center post.
 15. The roller press according to claim 1, further comprising adjustment means arranged for cooperation with said frame means and said center post whereby said frame means are adjustable up and down along said center post.
 16. The roller press according to claim 1, wherein said roller means are made of a relatively hard plastic material.
 17. The roller press according to claim 16, wherein said plastic material is polyvinylchloride. 